Doerr, others silent

October 12, 2017Digital Media Exclusive

The day after a county probation officer filed federal lawsuit alleging sexual misconduct and workplace discrimination by the county's president judge and probation office officials, county officials declined to comment on ongoing litigation.

Named as defendants in the lawsuit are President Judge Thomas Doerr; county court administrator Thomas Holman; Douglas Ritson, the county's chief probation officer; as well as Butler County Court and the 50th Judicial District.

County Commissioner Chairperson Leslie Osche said Doerr and Holman are state employees, who will be represented by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts, a state entity.

Stacy Witalec, communications director for the AOPC, said the organization is aware of the complaint.

However, Ritson is a county employee, and Osche said the matter has been referred to county solicitor Michael English.